Viduka's starring role gets Boro's attention

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LONDON: Mark Viduka has put in another star performance to lead
Middlesbrough to victory in the Premier League, bringing yet more
promises of a new contract with the club.

The Socceroos striker backheeled Boro into the lead in the
seventh minute, setting up a 2-1 home win over Reading. Viduka is
having the best year of his career in England, and Middlesbrough
have been dragging the chain in starting talks to renew his
contract, which is up at season's end.

But while the boardroom may be hesitant about splashing out on a
rich new deal, Boro manager Gareth Southgate wants to retain his
star player.

"We have made it clear to him we would like him to stay and we
are in the process of opening talks with him," Southgate said.

"The biggest thing for him is that he is enjoying his football
at the moment, and he wants to continue to do that."

Mark Schwarzer also played the full game for Boro, with both
sides having to front up again on Tuesday for their respective FA
Cup fifth-round replays.

Tim Cahill returned from suspension and was lively as Everton
won 3-0 at Watford to boost their UEFA Cup qualification hopes.

Cahill, who almost opened the scoring freakishly when Watford's
stand-in keeper Richard Lee let a shot go through his legs, did
eventually set up the opener when his low shot could only be
parried into the path of the Manuel Fernandes.

Everton went two up via the penalty spot and Cahill had a chance
to make it 3-0 before the break and end the contest but sent his
shot over the bar.

In Italy, Mark Bresciano's Palermo were held to a 1-1 draw at
Atalanta to further compromise the Sicilians' chances of winning
automatic qualification for next season's Champions League.

Palermo have won only one of their past six games, and are
falling off the pace behind second-placed Roma.

In Germany, Michael Beauchamp started but was taken off at
half-time as Nurnberg spurned a chance to push their European
qualification claims by losing 2-1 at Mainz. Beauchamp's missed
interception led to the second goal by Mainz.